Report from Sal, Owner of the Metairie Muffler Man
Metairie, Louisiana
"He was originally a Midas muffler man in New Orleans when he was put up for adoption in 1974. In responding to the newspaper ad, the price was increased three times from $300, to $400, to a final price of $500 -- all within a five hour period.
I would not part with him for any (and I mean any) amount of money.
Grown-ups quite often come into my auto insurance and title transfer business as customers and relay the stories about how they took pictures in front of the big man when they were kids. They were often bribed by their parents to be good if they wanted to go see the big man. As a landmark, people who respond to my yellow page ad know exactly where I am, even if they live 50-60 miles away.
People (I guess teenagers) often try to decorate him. Sometimes funny, sometime lewdly. A stuffed dog was hanging in a noose one day from the man's arm.
During hurricane season, he is the first thing that I want to tie down securely. I always keep my eyes open for a replacement that I can store just in case I lose him to a hurricane.
Originally, the local subdivision organization tried to have him removed. the Parish(county) classified him as a landmark, and now I am not bothered." [6/14/98]
September 2005: The statue survived Hurricane Katrina.
Out in back of the office is a truck with his effigy painted on the side, but to my knowledge, it hasn't been in running condition for several years. [12/5/99]
My wife, children and myself did a drive-by of the Muffler Man in Metairie LA on Saturday afternoon and noticed that the "Latino Muffler Man" has changed his funky clothes for some more traditional duds. Now he sports what looks like brand new blue pants and a bright red shirt. What's more important, now he isn't so crudely tied down with rope. [Mark Smith, 12/9/99]
Address: 2122 Clearview Parkway, Metairie, LA [Show Map]
Directions: Just after the light at Clearview Pkwy. and W. Napoleon Ave., heading North, on the right hand side of the road at the intersection of W. Napoleon Ave
